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From: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Correlation?
Message-ID: <387@psivax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Apr-85 13:20:38 EST
Article-I.D.: psivax.387
Posted: Tue Apr  9 13:20:38 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Apr-85 04:22:48 EST
References: <248@dscvax2.UUCP>
Reply-To: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley friesen)
Organization: Pacesetter Systems Inc., Sylmar, CA
Lines: 31
Summary: 

In article <248@dscvax2.UUCP> mn@dscvax2.UUCP (Matt Noah) writes:
>>There is a close correlation between sales of ice cream cones
>>and deaths by drowning.  Obviously this means we should ban ice cream.
>
>What is the rest of people's opinion on the correlation between child abuse
>and abortion in this country?  Does anyone besides me believe that it is
>possible that abortion has led to a more casual, i.e. lax respect for life?

Or perhaps it is the other way around, a more casual attitude towards
life has led to more abortions.

>Is it possible that the ME mentality of the '70s is part of this problem?
>
It is possible.

The problem with a correlation between two things, say A and B
is that A may have caused B, B may have cause A, *or* some unknown,
or unconsidered thing (C) may have caused both. *Much* additional
evidence is needed to determine which is true. It is even possible
for the correlation to be a coincidence(under normal statistical
reporting methods there is a 5% chance of a "false" or coincidental
correlation)
>Matt


-- 

				Sarima (Stanley Friesen)

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